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Small Grants grow into Candy coated Macadamias

22 May 2003

In the tiny town of Bauple 40kms south of Maryborough in Queensland, the close knit community hope to grow their small grant into the revival of an industry for their town. The Bauple State School has lead the way with an innovative idea that has captured the attention of FRRR – The Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal and has been successful in attaining funding under the Small Grants for Small Rural Communities Program.

The FRRR grant will be used to purchase equipment such as a small commercial gas stove, a stainless steel preparation table, an air conditioner and a cement mixer. The production facility will be located in the Schools Tuck Shop and former Plant Owner Steve Bradbury will be on hand to oversee the operations.

Principle of the Bauple State School Mr Matt Dyer said that ‘We were thrilled to gain support for our project given the intense competition for FRRR funding under the Small Grants Program. We fully intend for this project to create a profitable entrepreneurial activity that will complement the Bauple State School’s Enterprise Education class that will be part of the School curriculum. Our hope is to develop an enterprise that will create employment for local people and create a profit that will be reinvested in the development and expansion of the business.’

Over 250 applications totalling just under $1 million worth of requests from rural and remote Australian communities were submitted to FRRR in the third funding round of Small Grants for Small Rural Communities. As Australia’s only national foundation dedicated to the needs of rural and regional Australia many community based organisations across the country are now turning to the young and innovative Foundation for assistance.

FRRR CEO Ms Sylvia Admans said that ‘It has become clearly evident that there are many communities across Australia in desperate need of support. FRRR’s Small Grants Program provides the assistance that many of these communities have been previously unable to access.’ The themes that have emerged from this round of funding include support for;

  • Community Buildings and Halls
  • Community Radio Stations
  • Information technology and communications
  • Indigenous communities
  • Rural Education

A great number of exciting and worthwhile projects were supported. Communities from as far north as Aurukun on the tip of Cape York across to Derby in Western Australia and as far south as The Furneaux Islands were successful in attaining funding this round.

The collaborative approach for funding Small Grants is designed to: make better, targeted use of funds improving access for rural and regional communities; provide a simpler application process, and enhance efficiency and effectiveness for philanthropic trusts and foundations who wish to support small communities. FRRR gratefully acknowledges the support of current funding partners The Myer Foundation, Perpetual Trustees, RE Ross Trust, the William Buckland Foundation and The Pratt Foundation.

Natalie Elliott, Marketing Manager FRRR 03) 5443 7300 or natalie@frrr.org.au top